NEXT: AIGA National Design Conference 2007 is kicking off today in Denver, Colorado. We’ll be sharing the mile-high conference experience here at DESIGNY; blogging semi-live through the closing party on Saturday.

In the meantime, what better way to prepare than a quick read of Justin Davidson’s New York feature on Daniel Libeskind. Libeskind, known around these parts for his compromised role in the World Trade Center master plan is NEXT’s kick-off keynote this afternoon. Saturday night, conference attendees will gather in the rumored “stunning” atrium at the Libeskind-designed Denver Art Museum for the event’s closing reception.

Pre-event activities are already underway in Denver, including:
A student symposium moderated by Unbeige Editor Alissa Walker featuring: Allyson Lack, Jennifer Sukis and Pamela Zuccker (Principle, Inc.); Gail Anderson (SpotCo.); Garth Walker (Orange Juice Design); Adam Brodsley and Eric Heiman (Volume); and Adrian Shaughnessy.

A walking tour of Denver Urban Forest Project: The mile-high adaptation of what began here in Times Square.

For those of you at or making your way to NEXT, don’t forget to sign up for the What’s Next network.

More later today from Mountain Standard Time.